Mkvs and LG BD390

[barkinglama]

I got this player to play mkvs from my homeserver, so went out and bought a BD Rom drive and a USB enclosure.

First thing I found is that Leopard doesn't like ROM only drives, second thing I found was that the BD 390 doesn't like mkvs that use the VC-1 Codec.

So

I had to rip using MAKEMKV in windows then pass the resulting package through handbrake on the MAC using the h264 codec.

My first attempt at this, though time consuming, was successful and I ended up with a very good quality < 4GB file (from original 13GB file).

My second attempt wasn't.

I followed the same process and ended up with a 9GB file from a 19GB original, but it is pretty much unplayable.
Lots of pixelation and pauses, out of sync audio etc.

What could have went wrong?

I even tried the PC version on handbrake and this took 2 days to produce a similarly broken file.

Any help appreciated

[Baldrick]

Post the details from the mkv that does not work. Use mediainfo.

[barkinglama]

thanks for the reply

here's the info on the original 19GB file

General
Complete name : D:\Video\X-Men_Origins_Wolverine\wolverine.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 19.4 GiB
Duration : 1h 47mn
Overall bit rate : 25.9 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2010-03-27 15:02:36
Writing application : MakeMKV v1.5.2 beta win(x86-release)
Writing library : libmakemkv v1.5.2 beta (0.7.7/0.8.1) win(x86-release)

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@4.1
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 47mn
Bit rate : 21.8 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.438
Stream size : 16.3 GiB (84%)
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 1h 47mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 510 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 24 bits
Stream size : 1.13 GiB (6%)
Title : 3/2+1
Language : English

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 47mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 344 MiB (2%)
Title : 3/2+1
Language : English

Audio #3
ID : 4
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 47mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 344 MiB (2%)
Title : 3/2+1
Language : Spanish

Audio #4
ID : 5
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 1h 47mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 755 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 24 bits
Stream size : 579 MiB (3%)
Title : 3/2+1
Language : French

Audio #5
ID : 6
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 47mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 344 MiB (2%)
Title : 3/2+1
Language : Portuguese

Text #1
ID : 7
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English

Text #2
ID : 9
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : Spanish

Text #3
ID : 10
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : Spanish

Text #4
ID : 11
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : Portuguese

Text #5
ID : 12
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : Portuguese

Text #6
ID : 13
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : Chinese

Text #7
ID : 15
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : Chinese

Text #8
ID : 17
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : French

Text #9
ID : 18
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : French

Text #10
ID : 19
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English

Text #11
ID : 21
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English

Text #12
ID : 23
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English

Text #13
ID : 25
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English

Text #14
ID : 27
Format : PGS
Codec ID : S_HDMV/PGS
Codec ID/Info : The same subtitle format used on BDs/HD-DVDs
Language : English

[barkinglama]

and from the 6GB converted from the first file in handbrake

General
Complete name : \\\movies\wolverine.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 5.72 GiB
Duration : 1h 47mn
Overall bit rate : 7 633 Kbps
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.4

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@4.0
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 47mn
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Writing library : x264 core 79 r1347 5ddd61b
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / wpredb=0 / wpredp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : A_AAC
Duration : 1h 47mn
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Language : English

[barkinglama]

A bit of an update:

I had tried to play the 19GB and 6GB files via DIVX+ and VLC on the MAC - much pixelation and crashing, I have tried with VLC on vista, I then tried streaming them off my WHS with the bluray player (which I had done sucessfully with another "HD" MKV made in the same way). This was all at the weekend and was very dissapointing.

After posting I took a general look around the site, I downloaded WMP Classic and tried both files from a USB HDD and they both played fine (well first 15 mins but usually it's crashed by now).

So

I stuck the USB HDD into the LG BD390 (it still won't play the 19GB but that's to do with no VC-1 support) but the 6GB played fine - again have only played around 15mins. Encouraging as it seems that the files are OK.

My setup is Mac Mini wired to a netgear gigabit switch, wired to the latest Airport Extreme, wired to my Windows Home Server Gigabit port running media connect and nero media home essentials, LG wireless N to the Airport Extreme. (all wires cat 6)

So I tried streaming the 6GB file again through the LG BD390 with the same result pauses, pixelation, audio sync loss - just so happens I have an Airport Express (N) just below the player so and I tried wiring the BD390 to it so that both the inbuilt wireless and the 10/100 ethernet were connected at the same time.

I restarted the file and it appears to be streaming OK (will test later the full file)

Out of interest here's the info of the first MKV I made that does stream OK


General
Complete name : \Videos\mkvs\the hangover.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 3.67 GiB
Duration : 1h 39mn
Overall bit rate : 5 272 Kbps
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.4

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@4.0
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 39mn
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 800 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.40:1
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Writing library : x264 core 79 r1347 5ddd61b
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=2 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / wpredb=0 / wpredp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : A_AAC
Duration : 1h 39mn
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Language : English

[barkinglama]

I have found that some makemkv rips can't be read by handbrake - I think this is because of the DTS soundtrack held withing the MKV. I am going to try to use avidemux to convert theses mkvs to a format that the LG likes, anyone have any ideas of the best settings to use?

[obewon]

you want to try uncropMKV I own a bd370 and all mkvs ive used it for play fine after using it

[barkinglama]

you want to try uncropMKV I own a bd370 and all mkvs ive used it for play fine after using it

thanks, what size of files do you end up with?

what settings do you use?

[obewon]

output size depends on the bitrate setting, higher the bitrate bigger the file and better the quality --wouldnt recomend going below 4500
size also depends on lenght of film ,using uncropmkv will also let you to pick which audio you want and get rid of others if you dont want them

[creamyhorror]

I have found that some makemkv rips can't be read by handbrake - I think this is because of the DTS soundtrack held withing the MKV.

Handbrake passes through DTS just fine, as far as I know. Your problem probably lies elsewehere. Ask on the Handbrake forums.

[barkinglama]

I have found that some makemkv rips can't be read by handbrake - I think this is because of the DTS soundtrack held withing the MKV.

Handbrake passes through DTS just fine, as far as I know. Your problem probably lies elsewehere. Ask on the Handbrake forums.

I have given up on handbrake at the moment and am experimenting with avidemux just now , tried the handbrake forums without success

[creamyhorror]

If you want to use AVIDemux, make sure you use the preset system (the "slow" preset is probably a good choice). You'd also be well-served by using CRF encoding at a CRF value between 20-22, depending on how big you want the file to be. (20 = larger, 22 = smaller).

Check the AVIDemux forums for advice on encoding. I haven't used it myself so can't help you there.

[barkinglama]

If you want to use AVIDemux, make sure you use the preset system (the "slow" preset is probably a good choice). You'd also be well-served by using CRF encoding at a CRF value between 20-22, depending on how big you want the file to be. (20 = larger, 22 = smaller).

Check the AVIDemux forums for advice on encoding. I haven't used it myself so can't help you there.

Thanks I'll give that a go

Just noticed there is a firmware update for the bd390 - updated it and the original mkv now plays though it's stuttering badly